What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2015 on treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy, including neuroprotective agents and current guideline recommendations.
What They Found
Radical prostatectomy, the most common curative treatment for prostate cancer, frequently leads to transient or permanent erectile dysfunction due to cavernous nerve injury. Preclinical studies from 2000 to 2015 showed benefits of neuroprotective agents, and current guidelines recommend various therapies including immunophilin ligands, neurotrophins, and PDE5 inhibitors for nerve recovery.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer should discuss nerve-sparing techniques and potential post-operative erectile dysfunction treatments with their urologists. Awareness of various therapeutic options, from neuroprotective agents to PDE5 inhibitors, can help patients manage expectations and pursue appropriate care to restore erectile function.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a general review of international research and guidelines.
Study Limitations
As a review, this study is limited by its reliance on previously published data and the specific search parameters used to identify relevant research.